Using the Bible to restore respect
Jessie Shiri was deeply concerned about the number of women she met doing social work with the Church of South India who were vulnerable to sexual harrassment and even slavery. She is using new Bible skills to give them hope.
Women came to Jessie Shiri in tears because of sexual harassment while she was a Church of South India women's fellowship secretary. One of her friends who worked in business was asked by a colleague to stay the night. When she refused she was told that she would not get a promotion.
Jessie Shiri
"Really this is a burning issue in India," Shiri says. "In India most of the high officials have a chinna veedu (second home) - mistress. Some women go for this because of fear in their workplace: they may not get promotion. The other reason is poverty and having no choice."
For some women, poverty even makes offers by pimps too difficult to refuse. At a church pre-school in a local slum area Shiri met women who had gone into prostitution to survive.
Shiri's friend resigned and found another job. Members of the Karnataka Central Diocese women's fellowship provided counselling for women like her, says Shiri.
They also counselled and tried to steer those vulnerable to the sex industry away from prostitution, offering training for alternative work such as tailoring, making candles or making the cleaning liquid phenol.
Some sex workers pointed out how much more they could earn continuing in what they were doing. The women's fellowship tried to each about the dangers of relying on the trade, warning of the likelihood of contracting HIV and the loss of income when they become ill.
"Women are treated like secondary citizens," Shiri says. "They are an object or machines just to produce children. Not only that - women are badly portrayed in cheap novels, advertisements, films, videos and pornography. Even in their employment they get low wages."
Training
A training school in October last year provided the springboard of an idea.
At the CWM mission education school in South Africa in October Shiri learned a stimulating new method of Bible study.
Instead of the usual lecture from one person, she was encouraged to read the passage and discuss it with her group; saying what it meant for her and listening to others' ideas. In some cases Bible study leaders used puppets or role-plays to help participants picture the scene.
One of the Bible study examples at the school focused on little-read passages dealing with sexual relationships between men and women, such as the rape of Tamar.
I'm so much burdened in my heart about my sisters
Participants had to use what they had learned to construct and practice leading a Bible study that would be suitable for their ministry context. Shiri chose a passage that spoke directly to the situation of the women with whom she had been working: Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.
Shiri bubbles over with excitement talking about it. "I'm so much burdened in my heart about my sisters," she says.
"That's the reason I thought this is the real strong Bible study I have to do: I have to lead the people not to do these things."
To help the women understand she created a play about the event - the Pharisees bringing the woman caught in adultery to Jesus and asking him what should be done with her.
"Here the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus," Shiri says. "Jesus told the woman: 'I do not condemn you.'
"Jesus is showing the sin of the Pharisees and is respecting the women who are humiliated by others."
Shiri surprised people by choosing this topic.
The wife of Shiri's bishop Mrs Kumar called her and said: "You've got guts."
Kumar was supportive because she herself is involved in helping women who suffer violence.
"I'm not afraid," Shiri says. "This is the reality I have written. Why do I have to be scared? If the authorities see and think it is about them, fine. If the cap fits let them wear it."
The women's group at her church has responded positively, especially to the Bible study method involving their discussion about what the passage means to them.
One of Shiri's questions was: Is there a similar story to this one in your community? Share the story.
Shiri says: "They are telling me this type of Bible study is not boring for them. Lectures are boring."
They are even keen to learn how to lead Bible studies themselves using the new method.
Shiri would like nothing better.
She says: "I want to bring more and more people to God's vineyard. I want everybody to do this. We can't say one person only can be a leader. Everyone can. If we teach like this everybody can go on and do these things."
Bible study is powerful because it is God's teaching, Shiri says. "It is all truth. It is how Jesus loves his people."